NPC1 controls TGFBR1 stability in a cholesterol transport-independent manner and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Nat Commun

State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China.

Published: January 2025

Niemann-Pick disease type C protein 1 (NPC1), classically associated with cholesterol transport and viral entry, has an emerging role in cancer biology. Here, we demonstrate that knockout of Npc1 in hepatocytes attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression in both DEN (diethylnitrosamine)-CCl induced and MYC-driven HCC mouse models. Mechanistically, NPC1 significantly promotes HCC progression by modulating the TGF-β pathway, independent of its traditional role in cholesterol transport. We identify that the 692-854 amino acid region of NPC1's transmembrane domain is critical for its interaction with TGF-β receptor type-1 (TGFBR1). This interaction prevents the binding of SMAD7 and SMAD ubiquitylation regulatory factors (SMURFs) to TGFBR1, reducing TGFBR1 ubiquitylation and degradation, thus enhancing its stability. Notably, the NPC1 (P691S) mutant, which is defective in cholesterol transport, still binds TGFBR1, underscoring a cholesterol-independent mechanism. These findings highlight a cholesterol transport-independent mechanism by which NPC1 contributes to the stability of TGFBR1 in HCC and suggest potential therapeutic strategies targeting NPC1 for HCC treatment.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55788-5DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cholesterol transport
12
cholesterol transport-independent
8
hepatocellular carcinoma
8
hcc progression
8
npc1
7
tgfbr1
6
cholesterol
5
hcc
5
npc1 controls
4
controls tgfbr1
4

Similar Publications

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is characterized by changes in lipid and lipoprotein levels in the blood where phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) helps to regulate and modulate the size of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), working on the reverse transport of cholesterol. ApoA-1 is the primary protein component of HDL, and certain genetic variants like rs5072, have been associated with hypertriglyceridemia in children. This study aimed to explore the association between PLTP concentrations and the effect of the genetic variant APOA1 rs5072 on hypertriglyceridemia and atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) in the pediatric population of Southeastern Mexico.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In the central nervous system, apolipoprotein (APO) E-containing high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-like particles mediate the transport of glial-derived cholesterol to neurons, which is essential for neuronal membrane remodeling and maintenance of the myelin sheath. Despite this, the role of HDL-like cholesterol trafficking on Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis remains poorly understood. We aimed to examine cholesterol transport via HDL-like particles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients compared to control individuals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Lipoproteins in Type 2 Diabetes.

Curr Diab Rep

January 2025

Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Laboratorio de Lípidos y Aterosclerosis, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Purpose Of Review: This article explores the cardiovascular effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with a particular focus on their impact on lipid profiles. As evidence grows of the cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2i beyond glucose control, it is essential to better understand their effects on lipoproteins and their impact on cardiovascular disease.

Recent Findings: SGLT2i have shown significant cardiovascular benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, beyond their role in lowering blood glucose.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

NPC1 controls TGFBR1 stability in a cholesterol transport-independent manner and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Nat Commun

January 2025

State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China.

Niemann-Pick disease type C protein 1 (NPC1), classically associated with cholesterol transport and viral entry, has an emerging role in cancer biology. Here, we demonstrate that knockout of Npc1 in hepatocytes attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression in both DEN (diethylnitrosamine)-CCl induced and MYC-driven HCC mouse models. Mechanistically, NPC1 significantly promotes HCC progression by modulating the TGF-β pathway, independent of its traditional role in cholesterol transport.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cholesterol aggregation in dendritic cells (DCs) triggers an inflammatory response and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis (AS). Resveratrol (RES), a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and cholesterol metabolism regulatory properties, has been shown to influence the maturation and inflammatory functions of DCs. However, its relationship with cholesterol metabolism remains unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!