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journal article·2025-10Open access

Branched‐Chain α Keto‐Acid Dehydrogenase Kinase‐Mediated AKT Phosphorylation Promotes RCC Tumorigenesis and Drug Resistance

Qin Tian, Jinxiang Wang, Qiji Li, Yangruiyu Liu, Yanping Chen, Jiacheng Feng, Zi‐Ning Lei, Harsh Patel, Chao‐Yun Cai, Yuzhi Xu, Chuntao Quan, Lingyan Fei, Zexiu Xiao, Shuo Fang, Tianxin Lin, Zhe‐Sheng Chen, Yuchen Liu, Leli Zeng, Yihang Pan

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 40
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Source abstract

Abstract

Abstract Advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) primarily relies on targeted and immune‐based therapies, yet these treatments often face limitations due to inefficacy and drug resistance. Branched‐chain α‐keto‐acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) has been implicated in promoting RCC metastasis, but its specific substrates and the mechanisms underlying its regulation of RCC progression remain poorly understood. This study uncovers a novel mechanism whereby BCKDK‐mediated AKT phosphorylation drives RCC tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Elevated BCKDK expression correlates with poor prognosis in RCC clinical samples. BCKDK deficiency inhibits RCC cell proliferation and tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations reveal that BCKDK directly binds to and regulates the phosphorylation of AKT. BCKDK‐mediated phosphorylation of AKT decreases ubiquitin‐mediated AKT protein degradation, and promotes tumorigenesis via activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. RNA sequencing identifies BCKDK's involvement in the drug metabolism network and apoptotic signaling pathways. The BCKDK/AKT/ABCB1 axis mediates doxorubicin resistance. Targeting BCKDK/AKT inhibits the growth of RCC patient‐derived organoids (PDOs), enhances doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis in RCC cells, and suppresses tumor growth in vivo. These findings identify a previously unrecognized phosphorylation substrate of BCKDK and highlight the critical role of the BCKDK/AKT signaling axis in RCC progression, offering a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism · Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism · Biochemical and Molecular Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research Precision Medicine Center The Biobank Scientific Research Center The Seventh Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine Sun Yat‐Sen University Shenzhen Guangdong 518107 China

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat‐sen University Shenzhen Guangdong 518107 China

The Pharmacy College of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University Nanchang Jiangxi 330013 China

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences St. John's University Queens NY 11439 USA

Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital Shenzhen Guangdong 518035 China

Department of Nephrology Center of Kidney and Urology the Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat‐sen University Shenzhen Guangdong 518107 China

Shenzhen MagicRNA Biotech Shenzhen Guangdong China

Department of Oncology The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat‐sen University Shenzhen Guangdong 518107 China

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong 510120 China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province · Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program

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