Cell Death and Disease (Jun 2021)

Mitochondrial STAT5A promotes metabolic remodeling and the Warburg effect by inactivating the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

  • Liang Zhang,
  • Jianong Zhang,
  • Yan Liu,
  • Pingzhao Zhang,
  • Ji Nie,
  • Rui Zhao,
  • Qin Shi,
  • Huiru Sun,
  • Dongyue Jiao,
  • Yingji Chen,
  • Xiaying Zhao,
  • Yan Huang,
  • Yao Li,
  • Jian-Yuan Zhao,
  • Wei Xu,
  • Shi-Min Zhao,
  • Chenji Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-021-03908-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 7
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Signal transducer and activator 5a (STAT5A) is a classical transcription factor that plays pivotal roles in various biological processes, including tumor initiation and progression. A fraction of STAT5A is localized in the mitochondria, but the biological functions of mitochondrial STAT5A remain obscure. Here, we show that STAT5A interacts with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), a mitochondrial gatekeeper enzyme connecting two key metabolic pathways, glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial STAT5A disrupts PDC integrity, thereby inhibiting PDC activity and remodeling cellular glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial translocation of STAT5A is increased under hypoxic conditions. This strengthens the Warburg effect in cancer cells and promotes in vitro cell growth under hypoxia and in vivo tumor growth. Our findings indicate distinct pro-oncogenic roles of STAT5A in energy metabolism, which is different from its classical function as a transcription factor.