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Coordination of gene expression with nutrient availability supports proliferation and homeostasis and is shaped by protein acetylation. Yet how physiological/pathological signals link acetylation to specific gene expression programs and whether such responses are cell-type-specific is unclear. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key energy sensor, activated by glucose limitation to resolve nutrient supply-demand imbalances, critical for diabetes and cancer. Unexpectedly, we show here that, in gastrointestinal cancer cells, glucose activates AMPK to selectively induce EP300, but not CREB-binding protein (CBP). Consequently, EP300 is redirected away from nuclear receptors that promote differentiation towards β-catenin, a driver of proliferation and colorectal tumorigenesis. Importantly, blocking glycogen synthesis permits reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and AMPK activation in response to glucose in previously nonresponsive cells. Notably, glycogen content and activity of the ROS/AMPK/EP300/β-catenin axis are opposite in healthy versus tumor sections. Glycogen content reduction from healthy to tumor tissue may explain AMPK switching from tumor suppressor to activator during tumor evolution.

Original publication

DOI

10.1371/journal.pbio.3000732

Type

Journal article

Journal

PLoS Biol

Publication Date

06/2020

Volume

18

Keywords

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases, Animals, CREB-Binding Protein, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation, Colorectal Neoplasms, E1A-Associated p300 Protein, Enzyme Activation, Glucose, Glycogen, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Protein Binding, Reactive Oxygen Species, Signal Transduction, beta Catenin